Card Number 260, Emma Corson, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is ‘Card Number 260, Emma Corson’ from the Actors and Actresses series, a promotional item for Cross Cut Cigarettes by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The sepia-toned card presents a portrait of Emma Corson in costume. The composition balances the figure with the product name, creating a unified visual field. Corson’s gaze is directed to the left, away from the boldly curved text that advertises the cigarettes on the right. The text serves as a visual counterpoint to the human figure. The materiality of the card contributes to its meaning. As a mass-produced object, it reflects the era's burgeoning consumer culture. The photographic image, rendered in soft focus, romanticizes the actress, turning her into a commodity herself. The card functions semiotically, where Corson signifies glamour, aligning it with the cigarette brand. In its commodification of art and celebrity, the card’s structure reflects broader societal trends and opens up questions about the nature of representation and value.